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oclc - 19095970lccn - sn 95007355 issn - 1081-3349

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UF00028305:00166

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Jacksonville advocate-free press

Full Text

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Racism

Alive and

Well in

South Africa
Page 3

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Rap Stars

Spread the

Gospel, But Is

It a Mixed

Message?
Page 7

Can Wesley

Snipes' Career

Survive a

Three Year

SPrison Term
Page 9

Judge Orders DNA Test for Child
in James Brown Estate Case
AIKEN, S.C. -A South Carolina judge has ordered
a paternity test for the 6-year-old son of a woman
who claims to be James Brown's widow.
Judge Jack Early said the DNA test on James
Brown II should be completed within the next 30
days. Trustees handling the singer's estate ques-
tioned the claims of Tomi Rae Hynie that her son is
Brown's son.
"Clearly, James Brown has held up this child to
be his son," said Peter Shahid, a court-appointed attorney for James
Brown II, adding that the child has received Social Security and insur-
ance benefits since the soul singer's death. "We have writings that he has
signed indicating that this is his son. He talks lovingly of his child. So all
indications are this is the son of James Brown."
The decision to test the boy is the latest in the long-running fight over
Brown's estate. Brown died in Atlanta on Christmas Day 2006, throwing
into turmoil the future of his estate and trust. The total value of his estate
is still unclear.

One Month on, Zimbabwe Still in
the Dark on Presidential Election
HARARE, Zimbabwe -A month after Zimbabweans took to the polls
to pick a president, the outcome of the vote is still not in sight as the
United Nations prepared to discuss the Zimbabwe impasse.
Suggestions by the country's electoral body that results of the March 29
presidential vote could be out later this week after the completion of a
partial recount of ballots have been met with scepticism in some quarters.
Representatives of the main presidential candidates -- President Robert
Mugabe and his opposition challenger Morgan Tsvangirai -- still have to
meet electoral officials before the results are released.
Critics say a record has been set for the longest period a nation has had
to wait for election results, leaving in limbo a country that is already reel-
ing from a deep economic crisis.
there is no soon end to the results. According to Zimbabwe law, if the
electoral commission cannot organize a second round of voting immedi-
ately, it has 12 months in which to do so.

DNA Frees Texas Man After 27 Years
DALLAS A man who spent more than 27
S years in Texas prisons for a murder he did-

that clear him of a 1980 murder.
James Lee Woodard walked free this week.
His time behind bars was the longest of
any wrongfully convicted U.S. inmate
exonerated by DNA tests.
DNA testing has now exonerated 31 peo-
ple wrongfully convicted in Texas, more
than in any other state.
The Innocence Project, a non-profit legal
Center that specializes in overturning
wrongful convictions, says Woodard is the
18th person in Dallas County to have his conviction cast aside, making it
the highest county nationally.

NBC Says No Way to O.J.
LOS ANGELES Network NBC dismissed speculation that O.J.
Simpsonwould appear on an upcoming version of its reality TV program,
"The Apprentice."
"NBC representatives have never considered O.J. Simpson for the next
season of 'The Apprentice,' nor will," NBC spokesperson Amanda Ruisi
said.
Media reports this week have speculated that business mogul Donald
Trump, who is the show's host and executive producer, had been
approached by Simpson to participate in a new season of the show in
which contestants compete against each other in a series of business
endeavors.
The "Apprentice" returned to television in recent months with a special
edition called "The Celebrity Apprentice" in an effort to the improve its
viewership. Early this year, NBC said the show will be coming back in
January 2009.

First Rebate Checks Paid This Week
WASHINGTON The government started depositing thousands of
rebate checks in taxpayers' bank accounts this week, earlier than origi-
nally scheduled, with the Bush administration hoping the payments will
give a jump-start to a weak economy.
The Internal Revenue Service started making the deposits at 8:30 a.m.
EDT Monday with the goal of completing 800,000 direct deposits each
day over the first three days of this week. No deposits will be made
Thursday while the IRS prepares a big batch of 5 million direct deposits
scheduled on Friday.
The government's paper checks will start going out on May 9, a week
earlier than previously announced. The rebates, which are expected to
reach 130 million households, range up to $600 for an individual and
$1,200 for a couple. Families with children will get $300 per child.
The rebates were the centerpiece of the government's $168 billion eco-
nomic stimulus package enacted in February and are designed to bolster

consumer spending and lift the economy out of the doldrums.

SLORI L)A'S 1-IRS I C A' I IQLALI I Y BLACK

Volume 22 No. 1 Jacksonville, Florida May 1-7, 2008

4. 1 Ia* % ** 4i 1 b . ," I rr I
Copyrighted Material

Syndicated Content

Available from Commercial News Providers

McKissicks Add 42+ Years

in Leading Bethel Baptist
*- VMT ^ML^]

Sen. Barack Obama

Obama Says "Enough is Enough"

Dr. and Mrs. Rudolph McKissick
Over 42 years ago, the historic Bethel Baptist Institutional Church made
one of the most significant changes in its' history as the hundred plus year
old sanctuary installed a young Rev. Rudolph McKissick, Sr.as it's Senior
Pastor and his wife Estelle as First Lady. Decades lady, the church has
grown by the thousands in size and numbers adding a new education and
sanctuary among it's holdings. The church and it's co-pastor, Dr. Rudolph
McKissick, Jr., celebrated the festive anniversary last Sunday evening in
an open event of music (of their choosing) and praise. The celebration cul-
minated with a bountiful feast in the church hall where the guests of honor
greeted all of of their guests. R. Silver Photo.

In what many of his advocates
have found not a moment too soon,
Sen. Barack Obama has found issue
with the words of his former pastor,
the Rev. jeremiah Wright.
While campaigning this week in
North Caroline, he said he was out-
raged and appalled by the latest
comments from his former pastor,
who asserted that criticism of his
fiery sermons is an attack on the
black church and the U.S. govern-
ment was responsible for the cre-
ation of the AIDS virus.
The presidential candidate is seek-
ing to slow down the growing fury
over Rev. Jeremiah Wright and his
incendiary remarks that threaten to
undermine his campaign.
"I am outraged by the comments
that were made and saddened by

the spectacle that we saw yester-
day," Obama told reporters at a
news conference.
After weeks of staying out of the
public eye while critics lambasted
his sermons, Wright made three
public appearances in four days to
defend himself. The former pastor
of Trinity United Church of Christ
in Chicago has been providing
plenty of colorful commentary and
feeding the story Obama had hoped
was dying down.
"This is not an attack on Jeremiah
Wright," Wright told the
Washington media "It has nothing
to do with Senator Obama. It is an
attack on the black church launched
by people who know nothing about
the African-American religious tra-
dition." Continued on page 5

It's Not Over: Rights Groups Urge to Charge Acquitted

NYPD Cops with Federal Civil Rights Violations
-W _1 1 ....

Sean Bell's mother Valerie, center, raises her arms in prayer as Sean Bell's father, William Bell, left, and Bell's fiancee Nicole Paultre Bell, right,
sit by, at National Action Network headquarters last weekend before a peaceful march. Right, a protester prepares to take to the streets por-
traying what he feels is the New York Police Department the new KKK.

Calls for the intervention of U.S.
Attorney General Michael Mukasey
and the announcement of a massive
protest march planned jointly by the
nation's leading civil rights organi-
zations came this weekend follow-
ing the acquittal last week of three
New York City police detectives
charged with gunning down an
unarmed bride groom in November
2006.
"We are going to march. We can't
let this get away," said Charles

Steele, national president of the
Southern Christian Leadership
Conference. He was one of several
national civil rights leaders who
gathered in New York over the
weekend with the Black Leadership
Council to discuss strategy in
response to the verdict.
"We can't expect a system that
enslaves us to save us," Steele said.
"We must do this for ourselves."
Participating organizations includ-
ed the National Action Network, the

NAACP, the National Coalition for
Black Civic Participation, the
SCLC and the National Urban
League. Plans for the march will be
announced at a later date, Steele
said.
New York Judge Author
Cooperman, 74, acquitted detec-
tives Michael Oliver, Marc Cooper
and Gescard Isnora of all charges in
the death of Sean Bell, a 23-year-
old father of two who had been out
with friends at Club Kalua the night

before his wedding. The officers --
undercover detectives who were
investigating reports of prostitution
at the club -- said they thought one
of the men had a gun. Friends and
family have said that Bell was sim-
ply trying to get away because he
thought he and his friends were
being attacked.
The Rev. Al Sharpton, founder of
the National Action Network, said
he wants federal prosecutors to -
Continued on page 3

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May 1-7, 2008

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5 Ways to Teach Kids "Money

Doesn't Just Grow on Trees"

YOUE EMEYT M TlES

With inflation on the rise (gas
prices, grocery bills, health insur-
ance premiums, etc.) and many
companies being more conserva-
tive, more American families are
feeling squeezed. So if you're feel-
ing guilty because you can't buy
your child that video game system
he desperately wants or send him to
that trendy summer camp, Eric
Tyson has one word for you. Don't.
In fact, he says, now is the perfect
time to teach your kids some valu-
able financial lessons.
Ready to get started? Tyson offers
the following helpful hints:
Realize that kids learn what they
live. It may sound like common
sense, but you-Mom & Dad-are
your kids' most influential teachers.
When you ring up a barge-load of
credit card debt, take out exorbitant
mortgages or car loans, and fail to
save anything, that's what your kids

come to see as normal. If you are
modeling unhealthy financial
habits, you can't realistically expect
your kids to "do as 1 say, not as I
do."
De-program them. Kids are con-
stantly bombarded with informa-
tion about what things cost,
whether it's the fancy sports car
they like or the wardrobe of their
favorite athlete or actor, not to men-
tion the 40,000 commercials that
the American Academy of
Pediatrics estimates the average
American child sees each year.
What they aren't bombarded with is
knowledge on how to manage
money effectively. And while
schools are increasingly incorporat-
ing money issues into the existing
curriculum, the broader concepts of
personal financial management still
aren't taught. Frightening though it
may be, some schools rely on free

Replace Judgment with

Patience and Curiosity

.Always remem-
ber Romans 2:1:
"Quench the urge
to judge." Even when you think
you've got the inside scoop on a
situation, remember that things
are rarely as they appear.
There's always much more
going on than the surface implies,
and the best way to get answers is
to ask.
When you get answers, listen
and act with your heart. Your heart
is your interpersonal radar device;
it will pound loudly when you
connect with a special person or
idea.
Too many of us, though, let our
old, inefficient ways of doing
things shut out this inner voice of
wisdom. We let past baggage
block intuition, and we lose out.
We have to let our hearts guide us

in business and in life by listening
to that inner voice and acting on
what we hear.
How? By listening with a deep
desire to learn. This requires slow-
ing down, staying in the moment,
forcing our brains to stop multi-
tasking or tickling down a to-do
list while we nod vacantly at the
speaker. Why? Because we're lis-
tening for those magic words that
make us click.
Bottom Line: Evety person we
meet is a virtual encyclopedia of
life lessons and experiences that
can make us wiser: We need to
learn the art of really absorbing
what people are saying.
Remember with every experience
we have in life, one of two things
happens: either we win or we
learn. We never lose.

"educational" materials from the
likes of VISA and MasterCard!
people don't listen to it."
An allowance is a great teaching
tool. You don't have to break child
labor laws to find great ways to
help your kids earn their allowance
rather than just have it handed over
to them. A well-implemented
allowance program can mimic
many money matters that adults
face every day throughout their
lives. From recognizing the need to
earn the green stuff to learning how
to responsibly and intelligently
spend, save, and invest their
allowance, children can gain a solid
financial footing from a young age.
Start them saving and investing
early. It's never too early to start
saving, and the sooner you can
instill the importance of saving
money into your kids the better.
After they start earning an
allowance, have your kids save a
significant portion (up to half) of
their allowance money toward
longer-term goals, such as college
(just be careful about putting
money in children's names as doing
so can harm college financial aid
awards). Tyson recommends that
children reserve about one-third of
their weekly take for savings. As
they accumulate more significant
savings over time, you can intro-
duce the concept of investing.
Reduce their exposure to ads.
The primary path to reduced expo-
sure to ads is to cut down on TV
time. When kids are in front of the
tube, have them watch prerecorded
material. You can direct the televi-
sion viewing of younger children,
in particular, toward videos and
DVDs. And for older kids, if you
use digital video recorders (DVRs),
such as TIVO, you can easily zap
ads. But when an ad does sneak
under the radar and set the kids to
begging, address it. Explain to your
kids that there's never a good time
for frivolous impulse spending-
but it's especially harmful when
money is tight.

by Michael G. Shinn, CFP
Contributing Writer
Rising health care costs are
squeezing employers bottom-lines.
Companies are fighting back by
either reducing health care cover-
age, passing along the higher costs
to employees or in some extreme
cases, eliminating the benefit alto-
gether. "Health Savings Accounts
(HSA), in conjunction with a quali-
fying High-Deductible Health Plan
(HDHP) may help to soften the
financial blow for individuals fac-
ing high unreimbursed medical
expenses," states Maria Foxhall,
Vice President and Sales Executive
for Well Fargo Health Benefit
Services. "Managing an HSA
requires a little more work, but the
financial savings and flexibility can
be significant."
What is an HSA?
Health Savings Accounts are rel-
atively new, being signed into law
in December, 2003. To better
understand HSAs, think of them as
tax-advantaged medical savings
accounts that have features some-
what similar to traditional IRA
retirement accounts.
Contributions to an HSA are
considered "pre-tax" and may
reduce taxable income.
Funds in the account grow tax
free and can be invested in a variety
of mediums, including CD's and
mutual funds.
Distributions from the account
are tax free if used for qualified
medical expenses.
The account owner determines
when the funds are to be used and
the account carryovers from year to
year.
HSA accounts are portable
across employers and insurance
carriers.
Why Consider an HSA?
HSAs appear to work well for two
groups of consumers. Individuals
employed at companies that either
have no health care coverage or
medical plans that are considered
high-deductible health plans. A
second group that may find an HSA
to their advantage are the self
employed or small business own-
ers.
Because of the high cost of tradi-
tional health care insurance, both of
the above groups may find that the
flexibility and tax savings resulting

from an HSA, in conjunction with
the lower cost of a high-deductible
health insurance may result in sig-
nificant savings. HSAs are not
available to either individuals that
are covered by Medicare, have
other first-dollar medical coverage
or can be claimed as a dependent on
another person's tax return.
Setting up an HSA
To setup an HSA, a person must
have a qualifying High Deductible
Health Plan. The deductible limits
must be in a range from $1,100 -
$5,600 for individuals and $2,200 -
$11,200 for family coverage. Most
insurance companies that offer
HDHPs also offer HSAs, however
there is no requirement that the two
are with the same company.
Contributions to HSAs must be
made either in cash or payroll
deduction if made through an
employer. The annual contribution
limits for 2008 are $2,900 for indi-
viduals and 5,800 for family cover-
age. For individuals between the
ages of 59 and 64, there is an addi-
tional "catch up" provision of $900
per year. The contribution limits
are annually indexed for inflation.

Besides insurance carriers, many
banks, credit unions and other
financial institutions are custodians
of HSA accounts.
Two websites that may be helpful
and provide competitive informa-
tion on HSAs are www.hsainsid-
er.com and www.ehelathinsur-
ance.com. Additionally, the U.S.
Treasury Department has an
informative website at
www.treas.gov/office/public-
affairs/hsa/.
Your Financial Plan
The combination of an HSA and
high deductible health plan may
provide an opportunity for afford-
able health care. Additionally, this
combination may offer protection
from catastrophic financial damage
resulting from a serious illness
within a family. Work with your
health insurance advisor to deter-
mine if an HSA fits into your fami-
ly's financial plans.
Michael G. Shinn, CFP, Registered
Representative and Advisory Associate of and
securities offered through Financial Network
Investment Corporation, member SIPC. Visit
www.shinnfinancial.com for more information or
to send your comments or questions to
shinnm@financialnetwork.com.

Foreclosure affects more than just you.
It affects your whole family.

A million families will face losing their homes
this year. Call today for real help and guidance.
Because nothing is worse than doing nothing.

1-888-995-HOPE

NeighborWorkso

Is a Health Savings Account for You?

Court Order Accuses County

Commission of 30 Years of Discrimination
BIRMINGHAM There has been a court order against Jefferson
County Commission accusing them of over thirty years of discriminato-
ry hiring practices against Blacks and women. Comm. George Bowman
is recommending a plan that would put an end to these practices.
Bowman's plan suggests that since Jefferson County Commission is an
Equal Employment Opportunity employer, a Contract Compliance
Office be established. The Office shall have administrators to enforce the
Equal Employment Opportunity Program of the County in purchasing
and contracting and establish program criteria, maintain a pre-qualifica-
tion list, and hold pre-award conferences that include the policy of the
County to encourage and increase the participation of businesses owned
and controlled by minorities in contracts and projects awarded.
A minority person is an individual who is a citizen of the United States
who is Black, Spanish speaking, Oriental, American Indian, Alaskan
native and Aleutian.
The document further states that any contractor who submits a bid or
offer on a county contract in excess of five thousand dollars ($5,000.00)
or who receives business from the County in excess of five thousand dol-
lars ($5,000.00) during a fiscal year shall be required to have an Equal
Employment Opportunity Program approved by the County's Contract
Compliance Office prior to award of such contract of business unless a
condition precedent exist in those contracts that require pre-qualifying
before formal bidding begins.
One the the key components of the Compliance Office will be to
encourage larger companies not classified as a minority to joint-venture
with minorities and said minorities receive at least 35 percent of the total
contract amount.

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Celebrating 15 years of success
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Paff a I Noc Pprvlv Fri-P Pros

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Racism Alive and Well in South Africa

classification by
skin colour was
still crucial to
determining an
individual's
future.
Jody Kollapen,
Chairperson of
the S.A. Human
R i g h t s
Commission,
. _describes South
Africa's transi-
South African citizens both Black and white voted tion to democra-
together in historic elections in 1994, yet little has cy as "amazing"
I- ni hpro

changed.
Earlier this month, the owner of
a South African tourist resort
refused to allow a film crew to
shoot on his property because of a
"whites only" policy.
This came shortly after a racist
video made by students at the Free
State University and the alleged
killing of four black people in an
informal settlement by an 18 year
old white man.
All of this seems to show that
racism is still alive and well in
South Africa.
Albertus Pretorious, who owns the
Broedestroom Vakansie-Oord
resort stood by his whites-only
admission policy.
His action comes despite being
fined $1,500 and ordered to change
his policy three years ago by the
Human Rights Commission.
He was fined then for evicting a
white family who had brought two
black children along with them to
the resort.
Mr Pretorious was defiant when
a local newspaper enquired whether
the whites-only policy was still in
operation.
"Yes, it is," he answered, "I don't
allow black people onto my proper-
ty. I don't trust them and it's my
own property, so I can decide
myself who I allow."
Truth but not much reconciliation
When South Africa held its first
democratic elections in 1994 to
officially mark the passing of the
Apartheid era, many felt it also
spelt the beginning of the end of
discrimination in a country where

but says e ree-
onciliation part of
the process was emphasized at the
expense of transformation.
Kollapen believes while the Truth
and Reconciliation Commission
exposed the excesses of Apartheid,
very little was asked of whites dur-
ing the reconciliation and transfor-
mation processes.
Christi van der Westhuizen, author
of "White Power and the Rise and
Fall of the National Party," agrees
that a refusal by whites to acknowl-
edge the impact of Apartheid on
black South Africans is largely
responsible for the current racial
tensions.
Van der Westhuizen says govern-
ment policies like affirmative
action and black economic empow-
erment (BEE), which she believes
are necessary to redress the years of
oppression of blacks, have further
hardened white attitudes.
"You must bear in mind that white
identity post-1994 has also taken on
some notion of victimhood,
because they feel they suffer under
BEE and affirmative action.
"There is a definite resentment
among some members of the white
community about having lost
power. The Free State video and the
shooting incident are just extreme
manifestations of a continuing
problem in our country," says van
der Westhuizen.
Khanya Gwaza, a black first year
student at the University of Cape
Town believes racism is not a prob-
lem at the institution.
"We get along perfectly across the
racial lines," he says, "one of my

best mates is a white person so we
do not really see colour as an
issue."
But Simeon Linstein, a second
year student, says he sees incidents
of racism almost every day.
"I know for example that some
white students mock black lecturers
for their accent they presume
everyone should speak like them."
The apparent recent increase of
incidents of racism is of huge con-
cern to the Rainbow Nation.
But given that racial discrimina-
tion started in South Africa with the
arrival of the first Dutch settlers in
1652, it is unrealistic to expect it to
disappear just 14 years into the new
democratic dawn.

Continued from front
charge the detectives with civil
rights violations. He has also threat-
ened protests outside Cooperman's
home, saying the judge looked
down on Bell and his friends
because they were in a seedy club
late at night.
Detectives fired a total of 50 bul-
lets at Bell and his friends. Bell was
killed. One of his friends -- Joseph
Guzman -- was a passenger in the
car and was shot 16 times; today, he
has a rod in his leg. Another friend
and passenger, Trent Benefield,
also was badly wounded by the
gunfire.
Delores Jones-Brown, director of
the Center on Race, Crime and
Justice at New York's John Jay
School of Criminal Justice, called
Friday's verdict "a catastrophe."
She likened the judge's decision to
the decision in the case of Amadou
Diallo in 1999. In that case, police
who fired 41 shots at an unarmed
Diallo were acquitted in his death.
"Just like in the Diallo case, the
majority population already had
decided what the verdict should be,
and that is exactly what happened,"
Jones-Brown told
BlackAmericaWeb.com. "I thought
there would at least be a charge of
reckless endangerment because of
the number of bullets fired."

Services Set for Centurion Susie Ella Giles

Sister Susie Ella Giles suc-
cumbed this week of natural caus-
es at the tender age of 101 years
old. She was born to the late Allen
and Falecia Baisden on October
19, 1906. On Monday April 28th,
God called "Mama Susie" as she
was affectionately called by family
and friends.
Converted to Christ at an early
age, she was a devoted member of
the Greater New Hope A.M.E.
Church where she served in many
capacities.
She was united in marriage to the
late Walter Holmes and from this
union there were born three chil-
dren Falecia, Mary and Andrew.
She was a member of the Live

Long and Like It Club and the
Moncrief Needlework Club which
she both enjoyed and served for
many years.
She leaves to mourn a loving
family including a devoted daugh-
ter, Mrs. Mary E. Walker, seven
grandchildren,twenty-seven great
grand-children and three great-
grandchildren.
A viewing will take place on
Friday, may 2nd at 5:00 p.m. at
James Graham Mortuary located at
3631 Moncrief Road. Final rites
will be held at the new Hop AME
Church, 2708 North Davis Street.
For more information, contact
the funeral home at 904-766-0436.

Mrs. Susie Ella Giles

"According to the department's
policy, an officer firing a weapon
should fire only three times then
reassess the situation," she said.
"On average studies show that New
York officers fire four times when
discharging their weapons. In this
case, only one of the officers fired
four times; another fired 11, and
Oliver fired 30 times."
The department will not change
without federal intervention, she
said. "It's as if they think it's okay
to shoot people of color because
they can get away with it. What
would happen if these young men
were college students or young peo-
ple in the suburbs?"
Judge Cooperman questioned the
credibility of the witnesses, saying
that some had criminal records and
some changed their testimony.
In a statement issued following the
announcement of the verdict,
Cooperman said, "The court has
found that the people's ability to
prove their case beyond a reason-
able doubt was affected by a combi-
nation of the following factors: The
prosecution witnesses' prior incon-
sistent statements, inconsistencies
in testimony among prosecution
witnesses, the renunciation of prior
statements, criminal convictions,
the interest of some witnesses in the
outcome of the case, the demeanor
on the witness stand of other wit-
nesses and the motive witnesses
may have had to lie and the effect it

had on the truthfulness of a wit-
ness's testimony."
"These factors played a signifi-
cant part in the people's ability to
prove their case beyond a reason-
able doubt and had the effect of
eviscerating the credibility of those
prosecution witnesses," he said.
"And, at times, the testimony just
didn't make sense."
Some defense lawyers, former
prosecutors and other interested
observers said the prosecutor
played the hand he was dealt in tak-
ing this case to trial.
"The case was flawed from the
beginning and probably shouldn't
even have been brought to indict-
ment," defense lawyer Marvyn M.
Kornberg said in an article pub-
lished in The New York Times.
"There was conflict in the testimo-
ny, not only internally with each
witness, but externally, between the
witnesses. Those are the kind of
witnesses you put on the stand?"
Steele and other leaders said the
death of Sean Bell is further evi-
dence of a systemic problem relat-
ing to blacks and justice in
America.
"A black man has to be shot for us
to be reminded that black men are
having their lives stolen on a day-
to-day basis," said Dr. Boyce
Watkins, a Syracuse University
social and political analyst. "This is
a symptom. We've got to get to the
cause," Watkins said.

Florida Lottery retailers are vital to our support of education. Thanks
to them, we've sent more than 350,000 high school students to
Florida colleges on Bright Futures Scholarships; contributed more '
than $18 Billion to education statewide; and helped build, renovate
and maintain 780 public schools. We couldn't do it without you,
Florida Lottery,
our players. When you play, we all win.

Recent Questionable
Police Killings
Kyle Coppin, 18, an unarmed
teen carrying a hairbrush who
was shot 10 times Nov. 12, 2007,
and then handcuffed by New
York City Police officers;
DeOnte Rawlings, 14, shot in
the head in October of 2007 by
one of two off duty Washington,
D.C. police officers who killed
the youth after discovering him
on a mini bike that was stolen
from one of the officers' homes.
They said he had shot at them but
no gun was ever recovered.
DeAunta "Tae Tae" Farrow,
a 12-year-old West Memphis boy
fatally shot by a West Memphis
police officer on June 22, 2007.
Police said the child, walking
with a young cousin, was spotted
carrying a toy gun that the officer
mistook as real. DeAunta was
shot twice by police when they
said he did not drop the toy.
Some witnesses said the child
was only carrying pop and chips.
Martin Lee Anderson, 14, of
Pensacola, Fla., a sickle cell ane-
mia patient who died in a juve-
nile boot-camp Jan. 6, 2006,
complaining that he could not
breath as he was roughed up by
camp guards, who failed to heed
his pleas. The guards were later
found not-guilty in his death.

Door locks won't work. Mace won't help. So, how do you fend off the nation's deadliest killer?
Simple, don't smoke. By leading to lung cancer, heart disease and countless other ailments, smoking kills
438,000 smokers each year. If you never light up, you'll never be one of them. And if you'd like to save
someone else, tell them to visit tobaccofreeflorida.com or call the Quitline at 1-877-U-CAN-NOW
for free cessation aids like patches, gum and lozenges while supplies last.

Florida Department of Health
Florida Department of Health

Ms. Perry's Free Press Page 3

May 1-7 2008

May 1-7, 2008

Page 4 Ms Perrv's Free Press

It's hard to believe that the econ-
omy or the mortgage industry in
particular could get any worse, but
there seems to be a steady increase
in foreclosure nationwide.
It is a sad scenario, but individu-
als and families are losing their
homes at alarming rates. What I do
find interesting is that the very
struggle for equality in housing has
in a way helped create the current
mortgage crisis that this country is
facing.
The eagerness of minorities and
low-income families to own homes
created a readily available pool of
potential borrowers for predatory
lenders to go after. It's this environ-
ment that proves that fair housing
laws are still needed today.
April is Fair Housing Month, and
this year we should really recog-
nize the successes and challenges
that we as a country still face.
It was on April 11, 1968, one
week after Dr. Martin Luther King
Jr. was assassinated, President
Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law
one of the era's last major pieces of
civil rights legislation.
The landmark provision of the
Civil Rights Bill of 1968 the Fair
Housing Act.
The 1968 bill prohibited discrim-
ination concerning the sale, rental,
and financing of housing based on
race, religion, national origin, sex,
(and as amended) handicap and
family status.

During the bill-signing ceremony
President Johnson spoke about the
relevance of the bill saying, "It pro-
claims that fair housing for all all
human beings who live in this
country is now a part of the
American way of life."
We all know the critical situation
this country faces today. Before the
subprime market crashed it was as
about as easy to get a mortgage as
it was to buy a set of tires for your
car.
Now one in 33 homeowners
nationwide is projected to be in
foreclosure primarily over the next
two years, as a result of subprime
loans made in 2005 and 2006,
according to a new report released
last week by The Pew Charitable
Trusts.
In some states, the outlook is
much worse, nearly one in 11
homeowners in Nevada is project-
ed to be in foreclosure and one in
18 Arizona homeowners may face
the same circumstance over the
next two years.
So in many ways, the very bill
created to protect people and
encourage equality in housing has
been used by mortgage companies
to take advantage of many minori-
ties and low income families.
It is this evolved form of housing
discrimination that plagues many
communities today. Sure we will
give you a mortgage, but your
interest rate will be much higher

because of your color, age or the
location of your home.
And that's why the Fair Housing
Act is so relevant today. When talk-
ing about the Civil Rights Act,
President Johnson said, "We must
throw open the doors of opportuni-
ty. But we also must equip our peo-
ple to walk through these doors."
So in other words, we need to
provide equality and opportunity
for all, but also need to make sure
that all people have full under-
standing of the opportunities that
are being provided.
Although the picture is grim
there is some help out there in the
not for profit world. Wealth
Watchers Inc. a nonprofit organiza-
tion is available to assist homeown-
ers in Northeast Florida. Wealth
Watchers Inc., a HUD Certified
Counseling Agency recently
received funds to assist local home-
owners during this national mort-
gage crisis.
In Florida, the average time for
the foreclosure process is 75 days,
which equates to a little over 2
months. From the receipt of the Lis
Pendens, which is the notice of
foreclosure sale, times seems to fly
by so it is important that each
homeowner take action to preserve
the investment in their home.
As I said, assistance is out there
to help individuals and families.
Wealth Watchers has established a
hotline to assist existing homeown-

ers that are in adjustable rate mort-
gages or that are experiencing diffi-
culties making their mortgage pay-
ments. The Housing Preservation
Hotline is (904) 380-0347.
What's even better than the hot-
line is the fact that these counseling
services are provided to homeown-
ers in Duval County at no cost.
Carrie Davis, President of Wealth
Watchers. states, "We understand
that these are difficult times and we
want to assist homeowners in pro-
tecting one of their most valuable
assets, the home." She adds, "We
urge every homeowner to call the
hotline to take advantage of the
assistance being provided by the
federal government."
Again, if you need help or have
questions please call as soon as
possible. Taking action early in the
delinquency process is critical.
There are more options available
for you to address your problem
than you may be aware of.
Some options include; Special
Forbearance, Mortgage
Modification, Partial Claim, Pre-
foreclosure Sale, and Deed in Lieu
of Foreclosure. In addition to the
options noted, there are additional
options for seniors that are having
trouble making their mortgage pay-
ments. So really you have no
excuse not to at least call and see if
you qualify for help.
Signing off from a manned hot-
line, Reggie Fullwood

DISCLAIMER
The United State provides oppor-
tunities for free expression of ideas.
The Jacksonville Free Press has its
view, but others may differ.
Therefore, the Free Press ownership
reserves the right to publish views
and opinions by syndicated and
local columnist, professional writers
and other writers' which are solely
their own. Those views do not neces-
sarily reflect the policies and posi-
tions of the staff and management of
the Jacksonville Free Press.
Readers, are encouraged to write
letters to the editor commenting on
current events as well as what they
wouldlike to see included in the
paper. All letters must be type writ-
ten and signed and include a tele-
phone number and address. Please
address letters to the Editor, c/o
JFP, P.O. Box 43580 Jacksonville,
FL 32203. (No CALLS PLEASE)

let '
it,

Yes, I'd like to
subscribe to the
Jacksonville Free Press!

Enclosed is my
check money order
for $35.50 to cover my
one year subscription.

Who is Mal Washington?
I'm a New York native who was
raised in Swartz Creek, Michigan. I
attended the University of
Michigan where I pursued a com-
munications degree. After complet-
ing my sophomore year, I earned
the number one spot in the NCAA
national rankings. I didn't return for
my junior year and decided to
become a tennis professional. One
year later (1990), I was named
"Rookie of the Year." I still enjoy
tennis and also spend time playing
golf, running, lifting weights, and
going to the beach. I have been
married for 10 years and have a son
and a daughter.
How did you come to the
Jacksonville area?
I have called the Jacksonville-area
home for nearly 20 years. I arrived
in Jacksonville in 1989 after leav-
ing the University of Michigan. I
was looking for a place to base
myself as a pro. The ATP
[Association of Tennis
Professionals] International tennis
headquarters had just opened in
Ponte Vedra Beach, and was look-
ing for players to make Ponte Vedra
their home base. I got an apartment
in 1990, built my first home in the
area in 1992, and relocated the Kids
Foundation to Jacksonville in 1997.
Tell me about the Mal
Washington Kids Foundation
and the inspiration for it.
I have always felt that I could
relate to youth on a certain level
and the Mal Washington Kids
Foundation allows me to do just
that on an ongoing basis. What
started out as a program to intro-
duce kids to tennis so they could
learn a new sport while benefiting
from its values of hard work,
sportsmanship, and team work, has
grown into an organization that
uses tennis and after school aca-
demic programs to incent youth to
learn about the importance of edu-
cation, discipline, personal respon-
sibility, and giving back to their
communities.By exposing youth to
different and unique opportunities,
it helps plants the seeds of what is
possible if they stay on a positive
focused path to success.
What have been some of the
biggest accomplishments you've
reached personally and profes-

J.J. Jackson and Chanda Rubin are names you may not recognize but
in 1989, they made history by becoming the first African-Americans to
earn the nation's number one spot in the United States Tennis
Association's boys' and girls 14-and under rankings. If MaliVai "Mal"
Washington, has his way, there will be thousands of Jacksonville youth
like Jackson and Rubin who the world will know as champions both on
and off the tennis court
Washington, a former tennis professional and Wimbledon finalist,
launched the Mal Washington Kids Foundation in 1994 to provide free
academic and tennis enrichment services to youth in low-socioeconomic
areas. Since its inception, the Foundation has served more than 14,000
boys and girls throughout the northside community with its after-school
programs, clinics, and community partnerships. The Foundation recent-
ly built a new 9,200 square-foot, state-of-the art Youth Tennis and
Education Complex in Durkeeville across from the Emmett Reed
Community Center where its programs are currently housed. The new
center adds more than 7,000 square-feet of space including nine tennis
courts, a basketball court, and playground area. It will full open later
this year.

The Foundation's broad range of interactive activities also include
hands on experience. Above, veteran international journalists Stone
Phillips and Chris Hansen give work and tennis tips to youth.

sionally on your path to success?
My most significant tennis
accomplishments (in no particular
order) were reaching the finals of
Wimbledon in 1996, becoming a
member of the U.S. Olympic team
in 1996, and member of the U.S.
Davis cup teams in 1993, 1996,
1997. My best personal accom-
plishments are my wife, children,
and affecting the lives of thousands
of youth through the Foundation.
What would you say to someone
who might say that tennis is not a
sport for those in low socioeco-
nomic areas?
Tennis is the greatest sport in the
world. The benefits are many from
the physical benefits to the lessons
it teaches about dedication, sports-
manship, etiquette, and team work.
Because of the sport of tennis, I
have traveled to over 30 countries,
interviewed George H.W. Bush,
dined with Nelson Mandela, repre-
sented the United States of America
in the Olympics and Davis Cup,
worked in television for CBS and
ESPN, received a full college
scholarship, met my wife, and
introduced a sport to thousands to
youth . .all while growing up in
rural Swartz Creek, Michigan. If a
black kid from Swartz Creek can
become a Wimbledon finalist in
large part due to my parents [Note -
Washington's father, William, also
served as his coach], there isn't any-
thing a person cannot accomplish if
he or she sets his or her mind to it
and is willing to work for it.
As a black tennis pro, you've had

an opportunity to meet and inter-
act with minority players like
Arthur Ashe, Bryan Shelton,
Yannick Noah, Zina Garrison
and others. There is a great deal
of excitement today surrounding
the Williams' sisters. Who does
Mal cheer for Venus or Serena?
Both Serena and Venus are great
players in their own right. Both will
be in the Hall of Fame some day.
Serena was given a greater portion
of natural ability, but Venus dis-
plays a better work ethic. I am a fan
of great work ethic and would like
to see Venus finish the year ranked
# 1.Also, James Blake is a great tal-
ent who is on the verge of becom-
ing a great player and winning a
major. [Blake is a minority tennis
pro who is currently ranked 8th in
the world].
What is your personal
motto/philosophy?
Stop making excuses and get the
job done. There is nothing wrong
with making a mistake as long as
you learn something in the process.
Getting the job done is exactly
what Washington is aspiring to do.
Twenty years ago, the USTA con-
ducted a study revealing that the
average national junior tennis play-
er came from a family that earned
$80,000; today, more than 40% of
all tennis players had household
incomes of $75,000. With a court
and community champion like Mal
Washington, Jacksonville youth -
despite their family earnings are
learning lessons and enjoying expe-
riences that are priceless.

OBSTETRICAL & GYNECOLOGICAL

ASSOCIATES, P.A.

B. Vereen Chithriki, M.D.
William L. Cody, M.D.

I-'

Shown above is Rev. Wright receiving praise from indicted Detroit
Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick at the recent 8,000+ attended NAACP din-
ner where he was the guest speaker. It was televised live on CNN.

Enough is Enough
Continued from front
Obama told reporters this week-
that Wright's comments do not
accurately portray the perspective
of the black church.
"The person I saw yesterday was
not the person that I met 20 years
ago," Obama said of the man who
married him.
Wright criticized the U.S. govern-
ment as imperialist and stood by his
suggestion that the United States
invented the HIV virus as a means
of genocide against minorities.
"Based on this Tuskegee experi-
ment and based on what has hap-
pened to Africans in this country, I
believe our government is capable
of doing anything," he said.
Obama said he heard that Wright
had given "a performance" and

LEGAL NOTICE

when he watched tapes, he realized
that it more than just a case of the
former pastor defending himself.
"What became clear to me was
that he was presenting a world view
that contradicts what I am and what
I stand for," Obama said.
In a highly publicized speech last
month, Obama sharply condemned
Wright's remarks. But he did not
leave the church or repudiate the
minister himself, who he said was
like a family member.

This week, things had obviously
changed as he sought to distance
himself further from Wright.
"I gave him the benefit of the
doubt in my speech in Philadelphia
explaining that he's done enormous
good. ... But when he states and
then amplifies such ridiculous
propositions as the U.S. govern-
ment somehow being involved in
AIDS. ... There are no excuses.
They offended me. They rightly
offend all Americans and they
should be denounced."
Wright recently retired from the
church. He became an issue in
Obama's presidential bid when
videos circulated of Wright con-
demning the U.S. government for
allegedly racist and genocidal acts.
Obama said he didn't query his
pastor before deciding to seek the
presidency. He said he was particu-
larly distressed that the furor has
been a distraction to the purpose of
a campaign.
"It's a shame all of this is hap-
pening right now," said Vita Ward,
a local Obama supporter, "he
should just be quiet until it's all
over. It's almost like he's trying to
sabotage the campaign."

14th Annual Miracle on Ashley Street
The Clara White Mission will present it's 14th annual "Miracle on
Ashley Street" on Friday, May 16th from 11 a.m to 1:00 p.m. The event
has become the Mission's most successful fundraiser with close to half a
million dollars raised to date. The city's top chefs prepare their signature
dishes buffet style for the event held under the big top tent and it is
served by local celebrity servers. For more information call 354-4162.

II. QUALIFIED ENGLE CLASS MEMBERS ARE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A SHARE OF THE
TRUST FUND

You may be qualified to receive money from the Engle Trust Fund if you (or your decedent) have suffered, presently
suffer, or have died from diseases and medical conditions (listed below) caused by addiction to cigarettes that
contained nicotine. The disease or medical condition must have been first diagnosed or first manifested itself on or
before November 21, 1996. YOU MUST REGISTER NO LATER THAN JUNE 16, 2008, TO BE ELIGIBLE TO
RECEIVE A SHARE OF THE ENGLE TRUST FUND. You will be required to submit contemDoraneous,
verifiable proof to support your claim. You will also be required to submit your claim under penalty of perjury.

III. QUALIFIED ENGLE CLASS MEMBERS MUST REGISTER NO LATER THAN JUNE 16,
2008, TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A SHARE OF THE TRUST FUND MONEYS

At the hearing on April 15, 2008, the Court set a schedule for the allocation and distribution of the Engle
Trust Fund. Qualified Engle class members MUST register by mail or online no later than June 16, 2008,
to be eligible to receive a share of the Engle Trust Fund. Registration does not assure qualification to share
in the Engle Trust Fund.

Individuals who received a copy of this Notice by mail should have also received a copy of the Registration Form
that must be submitted by the June 16, 2008, deadline. To obtain another Registration Form, if necessary, contact
the Claims Administrator toll-free at 1 (888) 420-1666; send an email to EngleTrustFundi@ardencitvyroup.com;
send a written request to Engle Trust Fund, c/o The Garden City Group, Inc., P.O. Box 013241, Miami, FL 33101;
or download a copy of the Registration Form at www.EngleTrustFund.com. Alternatively, class members may
submit Registration Forms online at www.EngleTrustFund.com no later than midnight on June 16, 2008.

The Claims Administrator will mail letters acknowledging receipt of each Registration Form. The letters will request
and identify all additional information and paperwork necessary to determine whether you qualify for a share of the
Engle Trust Fund. The letter will also provide specific information regarding deadlines. Class member paperwork
must be submitted to the Claims Administrator by August 1, 2008. Distribution by the Claims Administrator shall
be equally made on a per smoker basis.

IV. DO I NEED TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY?

You may hire counsel, at your own expense, to represent your interests in connection with the allocation and
distribution of the Engle Trust Fund money or the Court-appointed Trustee will determine how your interests will
be represented. If you have an attorney who represents you (or your decedent) with regard to a tobacco claim,
please consult your attorney regarding this notice and the applicable registration and claims deadlines.

V. TO OBTAIN ASSISTANCE AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Do not call or write the Court, the Trustee or the Clerk of the Court for further information. Any inquiries or questions
concerning this Notice or the distribution and allocation process should be directed to the Claims Administrator by
toll-free phone at 1 (888) 420-1666; by email to EngleTrustFund@iardencitygroup.com; or by sending a written
request to Engle Trust Fund, c/o The Garden City Group, Inc., P.O. Box 013241, Miami, FL 33101.

Celebrate Ladies Inspirational Days
"Loving like Jesus, Living in His Image" is the theme for The Northside
Church of Christ's 28th Annual Ladies Inspirational Days.
The festivities begin at 6 p.m., Friday, May 9th. On Saturday, May 10th,
Kandice Jacobs-Armstrong, a Jacksonville native who is a poet, vocalist,
public speaker and is the acclaimed author of "Creating Kandice", will be
the keynote speaker. There will also be workshops, breakout sessions,
prizes and goody bags filled with gifts. A continental breakfast, and a
lunch will be served.
For more information call the church office at (904) 765-9830, or email
Chairperson Jackie Kern, at ihkern@comcast.net.

St. Andrew Mother's Day Luncheon
The Alice M. Graham Women's Missionary Society of St. Andrew
AME Church, will present their 5th Annual Mother's Day Luncheon at the
Village Inn Restaurant, 200 North Third Street, Neptune Beach, Fl. The
luncheon will begin at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 10, 2008. For ticket infor-
mation, please call Dr. Vallie M. Holloway at (904) 249-7624.

My Deliverance Worship Service
Women in Worship in anticipation of My Deliverance Worship Service
at Peace Tabernacle Assembly of God, 2308 Soutel Drive, will open the
doors at 6 p.m. with service beginning at 7 p.m. Evangelist Linnie Brock,
Sister Karol Clark, Pastor Pearl Cole, Evangelist Connie Jenkins and Rev.
Susan Takis, will be the featured guests.
You are invited to come and renew your spirit with messages of hope
from these anointed women of God. Give of yourself and expect to receive
from the Lord. There is a blessing waiting for you.

Prisoners of Christ to Hold Annual

Crime Prevention Prayer Breakfast
The Prisoners of Christ Ministry Inc. will host their 18th Annual Crime
Prevention Prayer Breakfast and fundraiser is set for 7:27 a.m. on
Tuesday, May 6, 2008, at the Wyndham Hotel, 1515 Prudential Drive.
This breakfast is free and open to the public, however, table sponsorship
is available as well as individual donations.
Sheriff John Rutherford will be attending this year's fundraiser along
with judges and police officers who recognize this organization as a gate-
way for released prisoners. Donations to the POC are used to house,
clothe, feed and offer job assistance to the newly released prisoners to get
them acclimated back into society and to become independent of the POC.
This process takes approximately one year.
Call the POC at (904) 358-8866 to make reservations.

Ministry to hold 3rd Sunday Service
The community is invited to share in 2008 Serious Praise Service at 3:45
p.m. on Sunday, May 18th, at the Father's House Conference Center, 1820
Monument Road, Building 2. Rev. Mattie W. Freeman is Pastor. "When
Praises go up, Blessings come down." Come, be a part of this spirit-filled
service.

Believers of Christ Temple Invites

All to Family & Friends Weekend
The Believers of Christ Temple Ministries, 5318 "C" Street,, Pastor M.
O. Drinks and First Lady Tanya Drinks; invite the community to enjoy the
warmth and blessings of their annual "Family & Friends Weekend", Friday,
May 23rd thru Sunday, May 25, 2008. Join the Believers of Christ Temple
Ministries Family for the "2008 Blessings Without An End, Weekend".
"Intercessory Prayer and Blessings Night" kicks off the weekend at
7p.m., Friday evening. The "Fun Day & Cook Out" will begin at 10 a.m.
on Saturday morning.
Sunday School begins at 9:45 a.m.; Sunday Morning Worship Service
begins at 11:15 a.m. The Choir Concert will commence at 5 p.m., Sunday
evening. Come and be blessed.

Mothers Taking Our City Back
True House Deliverance Temple, Apostle Earl Thomas, Pastor; invites
all to come out for "Mothers Taking Our City Back From Crime Day" at
1893 Rowe Ave., on Saturday, May 10, 2008.
Join other mothers for a day of Prayer, free food, drinks and prizes.
Prayer changes people,, things, circumstances, situations, and the person
doing the praying.

"In Anticipation of My Deliverance"

Worship Services at Peace Tabernacle
The Women's Ministry at Peace Tabernacle Assembly of God, located at
2308 Soutel Drive, will present "In Anticipation of My Deliverance
Worship Services" on Friday, May 2nd at 7:00 p.m. DOORS OPEN AT
6:00 P.M Come and renew your spirit with messages of hope from the
anointed women of God. Give of yourself and expect to receive from the
Lord. There is a blessing waiting for you.
Special guests include Evangelist Linnie Brock, Sister Carol Clark,
Evangelist Connie Jenkins, Pastor Pearl Cole, Rev. Susan Takis.
There will be a great anointed praise and worship service, and also Holy
Communion. For additional information, please contact: Alice Mickles @
(904) 502-8172 or (904) 683-5731

Charles E. Simmons, Jr.
Family, friends, politicians and
other members of the community
came together Saturday, April 26,
2008, to honor the life of the late
Charles E. Simmons Jr., at Bethel
Baptist Institutional Church. Eternal
Rest followed in the Evergreen
Cemetery.
Mr. Simmons not only left many
memories for his beloved family,
but his legacy in the community
reads like a Who's Who's among the
very accomplished. During his boy-
hood, he accomplished the highest
scouting award, the Boy Scout's
Eagle Award from Troop No. 147 at
Mt. Zion AME Church, and gradu-
ated Salutatorian of Old Stanton
High School. He then matriculated
at Lincoln University in
Pennsylvania, where he received a
Bachelor of Arts Degree.
Continuing his pursuit of education,
in 1941, Mr. Simmons earned a
Master's Degree in Business
Administration in Actuarial
Science, at the University of
Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The "first" of many firsts to come
in Mr. Simmons life, occurred on

July 1, 1951 when he became the
first actuary/Vice President, at the
home office of the Afro-American
Life Insurance Company,
Jacksonville, Florida. Mr.
Simmons was also the "first"
Insurance Specialist for the Duval
County School Board, a position
which he held for twelve years.
Mayor Louis Ritter appointed
Mr. Simmons to the Civil Service
Board in 1966, he was the first
African Americans to do so. He
became the first African American
city official since Reconstruction.
His memberships included the
Upsilon Lambda Chapter, Alpha Phi
Alpha Fraternity Inc., from which
he received a Lifetime Achievement
Award in recognition of seventy
years of service. A member of the
Fla-Jax Club, where he served as
president for thirteen years. One of
his proudest moments came when
he was presented the Silver Beaver
Award from the Boy Scouts of
America. His service to the com-
munity included serving the boards
of many organizations.
Mr. Simmons and his devoted
wife, Jolita Simmons, became the
parents of two children, a daughter
(deceased), and a son, Charles E.
Simmons III, M.D. He is survived
by his wife, his son, a grandson,
Edward Errington Johnson; sister,
Hettie S. Love (Dr. George H. Love,
Sr.).; nephew, Dr. George H. Love,
Jr.; niece, Karen M Love; other rel-
atives, and many friends.
The Jacksonville Free Press is
pleased to have served Mr.
Simmons, who was one of the
newspaper's first subscribers, in its
first year of operation, 1986. Our
heartfelt sympathy is extended to
the family.

- Ms. Dyrinda,
t my stylist is
always on the
,phone even
while she's
doing nMY
hair: I think it's affecting the qual-
ity of her work, and quite frankly
it's just not professional. Howl
should I handle this?
Tan- Northside
I agree with you it's not profes-
sional. I think you should let the
stylist know that you're not happy
with all of the time she spends on
the phone. It is affecting her work
because when you're in the chair
that's a chance for the two of you
to connect. Your stylist should
value that time to make sure
things are going well with you
and your hair. It's also a good
opportunity to see if your hair
needs have changed and then to
address them. We are all on the
go and we're all busy profession-
als, but when you sit in the chair
you should have your stylist undi-
vided attention. If your stylist is
truly the professional I hope he or
she is then they should have no
problem with this very simple
request.
Ms. Dyrinda, I started going to
my best friends hair dresser
because her hair always looked so
good. For some reason my hair
doesn t look as good as hers, what
gives? Traci
Traci the first thing that comes to
mind is how long have you been
going to your new friends stylist?
Now lets compare that to how
long your friend has been going.
Without knowing either of you
I'm going to assume that your
friends hair maybe better condi-
tioned because of the length of
time she's been with her stylist.
You would be amazed at the
things your hair can do once you
get with a talented stylist that can
get it trained. I would say give the
stylist a chance to get to know
your hair to see exactly what it

can and can not take. And finally
remember we all have different
hair. One strand of hair contains
all of our DNA information so
that proves just how uniquely
individual we are as well as our
hair. Be patient it probably won't
be too much longer before you
will start seeing results.
Ms Dyrinda, I love my stylist, but
I feel like I have to wait entirely
too long for her to start on me,
and then it takes her forever to get
me out the door. In your opinion
what's an acceptable amount of
time to wait? Brenda Westside
Brenda, It's time out for that. I
will be the first to admit that styl-
ist have a bad reputation when it
comes to keeping clients waiting
forever. It's not acceptable and
you shouldn't put up with it.
Salons across the country and of
course right here in Jacksonville
are dealing with more profession-
al women. Women that are jug-
gling work, family and social con-
cerns. In other words women that
don't have time to sit and waste
their time. Personally I don't
think you should have to wait any
longer than thirty minutes for
your stylist to start on you.
Anything more than that is
incosiderate, rude and down right
unprofessional.
Now when she does finally get
you in the chair it shouldn't be an
all day affair either. If it is it
sounds like your stylist maybe
over booking. Unless you're get-
ting a weave or something excep-
tional I don't see why you can't be
in and out of the salon in three
hours. At my salon we don't play
that, we value our customers and
their time.
Forward your questions to
JFreePress@aol.com. DS
Spa and Salon is located at
9810 Baymeadows Rd Suite
#2. Dyrinda can be reached
at 855-0045.

Pastors Protest "Racist

Practices" of Planned Parenthood

Demonstrators protest Planned 'racism' by Planned Parenthood at the
organization's Washington, D.C., offices (Courtesy Students for Life).
A group of black pastors, pro-life felonies charges for allegedly vio-
activists and a Republican con- lating Kansas abortion law.
gressman demonstrated at Planned
Parenthood offices in the nation's
capital (1108 16th Street,
Washington, DC) to protest an
alleged pattern of racist practices
by the abortion provider.
Articlesoflnformation.com also
reports that the protesters are
demanding Congress stop funding
Planned Parenthood, which
received more than $336 million in "".*"" '"
government grants and contracts in
the most recent fiscal year, accord-
ing to the organization's annual
report.
The protesters presented docu-
mentation of an undercover investi-
gation, which included a conversa-
tion between an actor and a Planned
Parenthood representation on tape,
reported by WND, in which a pro-
life student magazine, at UCLA,
found Planned Parenthood staffers
in seven states were willing to
accept a financial donation "target- .
ing" the abortion of unborn blackit
babies. iiirt s,
Other protesters included Alveda l. t.;slB ie.i.
King (niece of Martin Luther King tna1 r
Jr.); WND columnist Star Parker; --,:! Jii
Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson, National y' a
Black Pro-Life Union; Students for
Life; Rev. Clenard Childress, 1-800-WI
National Coalition of Pastor's
Spouses, and many others.
Idaho and half a dozen other
states are being investigated. A
Planned Parenthood branch in
Kansas faces 107 misdemeanor and

Rap Stars Spread the Gospel, But is it a Mixed Message?

45.. Iww"?-

"I feel like God is the only "I think it's very narrow-minded "For popular artists to go
reason why I'm strong for someone to categorize an down and speak to kids about
enough to get through those other one's relationship with God, righteousness and love for
situations." 50 Cent their spirituality." Bobby Jones God is great." LL Cool J

I show. "I feel like
SBGod is the only rea-
r r 'sti i son why I'm strong
enough to get
through those situa-
tions."
.. '- Exodus, a free
event, has grown
Corey 'CoCo Brother' Condrey works in a over the past three
recording studio in Atlanta. Condrey is the host years, drawing
of a nationally syndicated 'The Spirit of Hip-Hop' between 3,000 to
show and the yearly event Exodus. He is using 7,000 fans. Condrey
well-known rappers for their celebrity status, has changed the
putting them in the forefront to spread the gospel venue of the event
to youth, each time, holding it
Yung Joc appears on stage for a once at a nightclub, a church and
performance as an assembly of recently a skating rink.
youth swarms toward his direction, After all, it's also an opportunity
screaming at the top of their lungs. for fans to see their favorite artists.
Only this time, the rapper delivers "That's how we reach them," says
a message nothing like his raucous Bone Crusher, who performs a
songs "I Know You See It," "Dope rock-infused version of gospel. He
Boy Magic," or his smash hit "It's is also known for his controversial
Goin' Down." hit "Never Scared," which drew ire
"I'm not trying to be a preacher, for its vulgar lyrics at an Atlanta
but God is real in my life," he says, Falcons game a few years ago.
while his 2-year-old son and 5-year- "To reach those type of kids, you
old daughter stand near him at an have to go into the gutter and get
event called Exodus, a soulful them out of (difficulty). Yes, some
revival for youths. of it is unorthodox and derogatory.
After Joe's testimony, the host of But it's something I have to do to
the event, Corey "CoCo Brother" get the people out."
Condrey, asks everyone to pray for Certainly, hip-hop could use the
the rapper. Many in attendance drop good publicity, especially since the
to their knees or stand place, tossing genre has been under increased
their hands toward the sky. scrutiny for its sometimes misogy-
This is a scene Condrey, who cre- nist and violent lyrics. LL Cool J
ated the event, has longed to see. believes the hip-hop industry can
He has set up a platform to marry benefit from rappers offering their
hip-hop and gospel together spiritual testimonies to their fans.
through his nationally syndicated
radio show, "The Spirit of Hip-
Hop" and the yearly event Exodus.
Condrey is using well-known rap-
pers for their celebrity status, put-
ting them in the forefront to spread
the gospel to youth.
"We're trying to instill Jesus into
them," the Atlanta-based disc jock-
ey said. "We're making it cool, fly
and showing them how they can go
to their schools among their friends
and love the Lord...all coming from
people who they can relate to."
On his radio show, Condrey has
held interviews and prayer sessions
with rappers such as 50 Cent,
Ludacris, Kanye West and Young
Jeezy. The show has also featured e
guest appearances from gospel stars
such as Kirk Franklin, Yolanda
Adams and Smokie Norful.
"I've been through a lot of differ-
ent things," 50 Cent said on the .

He hopes if that does happen, main-
stream radio will embrace it.
"For popular artists to go down
and speak to kids about God, right-
eousness and love for God is great,"
rapper LL Cool J said. He recorded
a the rap gospel-type track "We're
Gonna Make It" featuring gospel
duo Mary Mary off his 2006 album,
"Todd Smith."
But minister Orlando Bethel calls
Condrey and the rappers' actions
hypocritical. He thinks youth
shouldn't be taught about God by
rappers such as Joc, who is current-
ly facing a felony charge of carry-
ing a concealed weapon at the
Cleveland Hopkins International
Airport in December last year.
"There are people who say they're
saved, and they're living in sin and
think it's OK," said Bethel, who
protested the event along with 15
others. "Then there is another cate-
gory of people that are not saved.
That's not right."
Some from the gospel industry
think otherwise. Dr. Bobby Jones,
host of the long-running BET
gospel show bearing his name, says
he has mixed thoughts about how
non-churchgoers receive the mes-
sage but is open to mainstream rap-
pers speaking more about their rela-
tionship with God.
"I think it's very narrow-minded
for someone to categorize an other
one's relationship with their spiritu-
ality," says Jones. "Who are we to
say what's right or wrong about

what somebody develops? It doesn't
matter if five minutes ago someone
sang about the love of their life in a
very intimate position, then the next
five their talking about their love of
Jesus Christ."
Gospel singer J Moss says a rap-
per's testimony may be the only one
someone gets.
"It could be their only church," he
said. "God is for everybody."
Condrey would know. He
switched from hosting a popular
radio show where he only played
secular music to a hip-hop gospel
platform in 2005 (The show is in 15
markets and syndicated by Radio
One). He changed his format after
persuading a homeless caller not to
commit suicide while on air, saying
he "began to hear God telling him
to shift into a different arena."
Since then, Condrey said he quit
drinking alcohol and vowed to be
celibate until marriage, trying to
lead by example.
After speaking at Exodus, Joc was
inspired to record a track with R&B
gospel singer Justin Clark.
"It was one of the defining
moments in my life," Joc said.
"Somebody might say, 'How can
you talk to kids when you have a
gun charge?' But accidents happen
and people make mistakes. With
young men and women looking up
to me, I have to let them know that
I'm a man of God."
Visit thespiritofhiphop. cor for more
on his movement.

What to do from social, volunteer, political and sports activities to self enrichment and the civic scene

Women in
Leadership Forum
Elexia Coleman-Moss will facili-
tate the workshop "Women in
Leadership: Where are we headed?"
on Thursday, May 1st. This con-
versation to examine the recent and
current involvement of women in
leadership roles in our community.
Join us from 5:30 7:00 to explore
ways that women are engaged and
encouraged to participate and what
our future holds. The forum will be
held at JCCI headquarters located at
2434 Atlantic Blvd. Reserve your
seat by e-mailing Lashun@jcci.org.

May PRIDE Book
Club Meeting
The PRIDE Book Club, North
Florida's oldest and largest African-
American book club, will be meet-
ing on on Friday, May 2, 2008 at
7:00 pm. at the Gateway Book
Store at the Gateway Shopping
Center. The book for discussion
with the author will be The Human
Stain by Philip Roth. For more
information, call 389-8417.

Annual World of
Nations Festival
More than 30 countries will host
"visitors" at the annual World Of
Nations festival. May 2-4 at
Metropolitan Park. Get your "pass-
port" stamped as you go around the
world.

45th Annual
Shrimp Festival
This year's 45th Annual Isle of
Eight Flags Shrimp Festival will be
held on May 2, 3 & 4. Located in
historic Fernandina Beach, FL,
when not feasting on shellfish or
other festival fare, visitors can
enjoy the works of over 300 award-
winning artists and craftspeople and
their creations in various mediums.
The festival also boasts an excellent
showing of fine antiques and col-
lectibles, including furniture,
depression glass, jewelry, crystal
and coins. Visit www.shrimpfesti-
val.com or call 866-4-AMELIA.

Make Strawberry
Preserves Class
The City of Jacksonville Canning
Center will offer a workshop on
Monday, May 5, from 9AM to
Noon. Celebrate the gardening sea-
son by learning how to make straw-
berry preserves and take some
home for your family to enjoy. You
must pre-pay to register. If your
group is interested in making a dif-
ferent item, or for more informa-
tion, call at 387-8850.

All Stanton Gala
All alumni, faculty, friends and
staff of Old Stanton, New Stanton
and Stanton Vocational High
Schools are invited to attend the
2008 Stanton Gala Celebration, cel-

ebrating 140 years. The event will
be held Saturday, May 3, 2008 at
the Prime Osborne Convention
Center. Doors Open at 6 p.m. For
more information, contact Kenneth
Reddick at 764-8795.

Universal Sisters
Universal Sisters is a program
designed to address the unique
health concerns of women of color.
The one-day event will feature
dynamic keynote speakers, break-
out sessions, and free health screen-
ings, and will take place at the
Hyatt Hotel on Saturday, May 3
from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Seating is limited, and women are
encouraged to get their tickets early
by calling (904) 549-2938 or visit-
ing wjct.org. The ticket price
includes continental breakfast,
lunch and a gift-filled canvas bag.

Mandarin Christian
Women's Association
Come hear the Sound of Music
with Soloist and Speaker Nikki
Jatindranath, who will share songs
fiom the heart and the reason she
now has a "song for all seasons of
life." The luncheon will be held on
May 6th from 12:00 -1:30 p.m. at
the Ramada Inn, 3130 Hartley Road
in Mandarin. Complimentary
Nursery is provided. Call Cande at
908-5609 or Email: mandar-
incwc@yahoo.com or sweet-
leespoiled@comcast.net.

Dinner with a
Difference at BCC
The Jacksonville Human Rights
Commission will present the
"Dinner with a Difference" on
Tuesday, May 6th at 6:00 p.m. The
free event will be held at the
Bethelite Conference Center, 5865
Arlington Expressway. For more
information call 630-8071.

Free Forum on Closing
Health Disparity gap
Mayo Clinic is hosting a commu-
nity forum, "Lessons for Closing
the Health Disparities Gap" on
Wednesday, May 7th from 6:00 -
8:00 p.m. at the Ritz Theatre and
LaVilla Museum. Dr. Floyd Willis,
Dr. Charles B. McIntosh, and
Stephen Thomas, Director of the
Center for Minority Health for the
University of Pittsburgh, will pro-
vide insight on the past, present and
future of medicine and its effect on
the African American Community.
Space is limited and refreshments
will be served. Contact Garik at
953-0977 to RSVP.

Southern Genealogist's
Exchange Society
The Southern Genealogist's
Exchange Society meeting is
Saturday, May 10th at 10:15 AM.
The meeting will be held at the
Mandarin Regional Library, 3330
Kori Road, Jacksonville, Florida in

the Community Meeting Room.
The guest speaker will be Patricia
Barefoot of Quarantine Island,
Georgia. Author of several books,
Mrs. Barefoot will speak on
"Researching in the Georgia
Piedmont". The meeting is free and
open to the public. Light refresh-
ments will be served. Additional
information, call (904) 778-1000.

Comedian Steve
Harvey in Concert
You've seen him in everything
from the television shown named
after himself to being one of the
Kings of Comedy, now Steve
Harvey will grace the stage of the
Times Union Center on Saturday,
May 10th at 8 p.m. For tickets call
Ticketmaster at 353-3309.

Dreamgirls on Stage
at the Florida Theatre
Stage Aurora will bring
Dreamgirls to life at the Florida
Theatre May 10-11, 2008.The soul-
ful locally produced show boasts
such show-stopping musical num-
bers as "And I Am Telling You I'm
Not Going," "I Am Changing" and
"Dreamgirls." Jacksonville natives
and Broadway performers Angela
Robinson (The Color Purple) and
Executive Director Darryl Reuben
Hall (Porgy and Bess -Lincoln
Center) will serve as co-directors.
For more tickets or more informa-
tion, call 765-7372.

Twelve Angry
Men at TUCPA
The critically acclaimed play
"Twelve Angry Man" will grace the
stages of the Florida Times Union,
May 13-18 starring Richard
Thomas. For tickets or more infor-
mation, call 632-3373.

Links Old School Gala
The Bold City Chapter of Links
will present their annual Old School
gala on Friday, May 16th at Alltell
Stadium. The 70s themed event
includes a soul food buffet, prizes
for best attire. For tickets or more
information, e-mail
BoldCityLinks@aol.com or contact
any Bold City member.

Susan Taylor
Book Signing
Former Essence Magazine Editor
and social activist Susan Taylor will
be in Jacksonville for a book sign-
ing and conversation on her new

book, "All About Love". It will be
held on Friday May 16, 2008 from
2:30 4:30 pm at Gateway Book
Store, 5238 Norwood Ave. RSVP
your attendance to Dorothy Hughes
at 765-9582 or dorothyhugh-
es02@yahoo.com.

NJCDC Health and
Neighborhoods Day
Partnering with Mali Vai
Washington, Northwest
Jacksonville CDC is hosting its 4th
Annual Health and Neighborhoods
Day event. There will be free health
screenings, and lots of fun and
games for the kids. The event will
be held on Saturday, May 17th
from 10 a.m. 2 p.m. at the Mali
Vai Washington Youth Center in
Emmet Reed Park at 1096 West 6th
Street. For more information, call
Felicia at 904-764-1805 for more
information.

Code of the
Street Discussion
JCCI is hosting a discussion of
Code of the Street: Decency,
Violence and the Moral Life of the
Inner City on May 20th. Dr.
Michael Hallett, chair of the
Criminology and Criminal Justice
Department at University of North
Florida, will open with short
remarks about Jacksonville, violent
crime and the importance of Elijah
Anderson's work. It will be on
Tuesday, May 20 from 5:30 to 7
p.m. at JCCI, 2434 Atlantic Blvd.
Space is limited, please RSVP by
calling 396-3052.

Gilbert Class of 1968
The Matthew William Gilbert
High School Class of 1968 is hav-
ing their 40th reunion June 20-
22,2008. The banquet will be held
June 21st at 7pm at Jacksonville
Marriott Hotel 4760 Salisbury Rd.
For more information, contact
James Wright at 303 9897 or Lydia
Jackson at 904 765 9224.

Do You H o an EoY tor Aroud Town2
The Jacksonville Free Press is please to print your
public service announcements and coming events
free of charge. news deadline is Monday at 6 p.m. by
the week you would like your information to be
printed. Information can be sent via email, fax,
brought into our office or mailed in. Please be sure to
include the 5W's who, what, when, where, why and
you must include a contact number.

The Millions More Movement Jacksonville Local
Organizing Committee Inc., a non-profit organiza-
tion is now in the process of gathering clothes for
it's next 'Clothes Give-A-Way.
Due to the extended cold winter weather
Jacksonville is experiencing if you have extra
jackets, gloves, caps, sweaters, coats, blankets
please bring them to 916 N.Myrtle Avenue from
9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
JLOC will also come pick up your donation.
For more information, vist their website at :
www.jaxloc.com or call 904-240-9133.

*i~-- p~

May 1-7, 2008

Page 8 Ms. Perry's Free Press

Ms. Perry's Free Press Page 9

Mav 1 7 2008

Coleman Ready for a Divorce

8 Months After Marriage

Mr. and Mrs. Coleman
They got married eight months
ago and already Gary Coleman and
his new bride, Shannon Price, are
in TV's "Divorce Court."
In episodes to air May 1 and 2,
Judge Lynn Toler will try to sort
through the couple's myriad of
problems since tying the knot last
August. Coleman, 40 will discuss
his anger and intimacy issues.
Price, 22, tells Toler that they fight
on a monthly basis and arguments
can get real "ugly."
"If he doesn't get his way, he
throws a temper tantrum like a five-
year-old does," Price says, accord-
ing to a transcript of the show. "He
like stomps the floor and yells,

'Meehhhh,' and starts throwing
stuff around. He bashes his head in
the wall, too."
Coleman, who met Price on the set
of the 2006 comedy "Church Ball,"
says he can't ever win because "the
male is always the bad guy."
"When 1 try to state my case or
explain things to her or try to get
her to understand my point of
view," Coleman says, "my point of
view doesn't matter."
Price also complains that Coleman
has no friends and disappears from
home in the middle of the night.
"I don't have any friends and don't
have any intention of making any,"
he says to Toler. "People will stab
you in the back, mistreat you, talk
about me behind your back, steal
from you. And they're not really
your friends. (They're) only there
because you're a celebrity or
because they want to get something
from you."
Later, Coleman refers to his pri-
vate life with Price as "mediocre."
"It's not her fault," he says. "I
always feel like I have the weight
of the world on my shoulders every
day I get up. ... There are days I
don't even want to get up."

It's an open secret in the
fashion industry: black
models rarely get jobs on
catwalks, in magazines and
on billboards. According to
executives, they do not
inspire women to spend
money.
Apart from Naomi
Campbell in one Louis
Vuitton advertisement this
season, it would be difficult
to find a single black model
in a prominent position in a
magazine. Carole White of
the Premier Model Agency
says she has received cast-
ing briefs requesting "no
ethnics" and adds:
"According to magazines,
black models don't sell."
The leading British pho-
tographer Nick Knight
says: "The fashion industry
and the advertising indus-
try are steeped in racism.
You just have to look
around at the number of
black girls you see in ads -
virtually nil. Among the
main fashion brands, they
are completely under-rep-
resented. It's shocking and
atrocious."
Mr Knight blames busi-
ness people at the top of the
industry. A common atti-
tude among them, he says,
is that black models are

Can Wesley Snipes' Career Survive Three Years in Prison?

Actor Wesley Snipes waved to the
press and crowd of well wishers
after he was sentenced to the maxi-
mum three years in jail for failure to
pay his taxes for several years.
Undoubtedly, he wasn't the first
high profile celebrity receiving a
jail sentence.
A few years ago, Robert Downey
Jr. was known for abusing drugs,
doing jail time and skipping out on
rehab sessions.
Soon, he's starring in one of the
summer's biggest movies, "Iron
Man." Downey is not the only
celebrity to bounce back from hard
times with the law.
Willie Nelson was fined $32 mil-
lion by the Internal Revenue
Service during the early '90s. The
country singer sold most of his pos-
sessions and paid back about $16
million. Today, Nelson is as popular
as ever, a beloved music icon.
Four years ago, Martha Stewart
also did jail time for lying about a
stock sale. Now the domestic diva
is back on her throne as America's
homemaking queen.
Which brings us to Wesley Snipes.
This week Snipes was sentenced
by a federal judge in Ocala to serve
three years in prison for willfully
failing to file tax returns. Snipes
also faces paying millions of dollars

in back taxes, interest and penalties.
His lawyers have said they will
appeal the sentence.
"Even well-intentioned people can
make mistakes," Snipes told Senior
U.S. District Judge William Terrell
Hodges last week before his sen-
tencing. "I never lost faith. I have
forgiven those who have hurt me
deeply because I seek forgiveness."
But as far as Snipes' future is con-
cerned, will movie fans and
Hollywood forgive him?
Four or five years from now, will
he just be a washed-up ex-con ( a la
Mike Tyson) showing up on a reali-
ty show, or can he still carry some
juice at the box office?
"No matter what happens, Wesley
will survive because Wesley is a
strong man," said TV Judge Joe
Brown, a close friend of Snipes
who spoke up for him at the trial.
Brown compared Snipes' acting
persona to John Wayne or Sidney
Poitier. At Snipes' sentencing,
Brown said he didn't think Snipes'
personal problems "would interfere
with his (screen) image.
Snipes usually plays a tough,
macho action hero. He became a
huge star during the '90s with such
films as "New Jack City," "Jungle
Fever," "White Men Can't Jump,"
and "Blade."

"Snipes wasn't just one of the most Melissa Safford of Wauchula also
popular African-American actors remains smitten with Snipes.
in Hollywood; he was fast "He's my favorite celebrity,"
becoming one of its she said. "I like all the roles he
higgeest stars, period. pla Right nov. his future is
Chris Nashaxar, L rote in a question mark. but he'll
Entertainment \\eekl, l a\.a\ be popular "
In recent ears. hov.eter. But the pending jail sen-
Snipes'~ film career has. A tence ma\ cot Snipes
nose-dited The last fie a role Ile c,,eted:
films he mirade ha\ en't pla Ing lames
heel shor\ in theater.- Br,' .n in an
but ent right to. u p c o m ing
DFVD rhl i,\t ere m le hloegra-
filmed in foreign ph. directed by
countrie and had litle- Spike Lee
kno\wn costs nipes' p,. There are other
personall and I:egarr Iotinal cars
battles added to lus for Snipes
decline 'rom the

the paIt Icase
decade.
Snipe"
been a
been -*

mired in
one legal scan-
dal aid publicity
nightmare after
anot he r.
Nasha Wat
wrote. "Some of these were due to
bad luck. Others seem to have been
the result of bad judgment."
Despite his problems, some fans
support Snipes.
"The income tax stuff doesn't mat-
ter because Wesley Snipes is an
excellent actor," said Linda Staten.
"I like the way he played a vampire
[in "Blade"]. If he goes to jail, it
doesn't change anything for me."

"The am:niunt o ,t
aggravation. hlun.t
enibarrassment andQ
degradation is
immeasurable," Carmen
Hernandez, an attorney for Snipes,
said in court. "Wesley is fighting for
his life in an embarrassing public
way," added Daniel Meachum,
Snipes' lead attorney.
If he does end up doing prison
time, he may have to fight for
something else after he's freed: his
career.

BA

"not aspirational" or "don't sell in
Asia". He goes on: "I have tried to
redress the balance. It is enormous-
ly important to use black models
and models of different ethnic
backgrounds."
Now a counterattack to the racism
of the fashion industry is coming
from an unlikely source: Vogue
Italia. The July issue of the fear-
somely cutting-edge quarterly will
feature black models almost exclu-
sively, shot by the photographer
Steven Meisel.
"We are using a lot of black mod-
els, like Iman, not only the models
of today a lot of different girls."
said Franca Sozzani, editor-in-
chief of Vogue Italia Asked why
she had decided to do this, she said:
"Because nobody is using black
girls. I see so many beautiful girls
and they were complaining that
they are not used enough."
Ms Sozzani admitted the issue
could yet prove to be unpopular
among some in Italy, where the
xenophobic Northern League is part
of the new coalition led by Silvio
Berlusconi: "Maybe in our country
it is not the best idea. But I don't
care. I think it is not my problem if
they don't like it it's their prob-
lem."
Sarah Doukas, managing director
of model agency Storm, says:
"There has been frustration over the
years from a lot of ethnic models,
stylists and editors who have felt

that they were not working as much
as some of their Caucasian counter-
parts."
But she added: "There has been a
shift recently: supportive media
coverage has had an impact on the
fashion industry."
Nick Knight welcomes the
prospect of Vogue Italia's all-black
edition but adds a note of caution:
"I hope all the advertising goes in
that issue."

KUU

Black Finally in Fashion for Vogue

Cultural Arts &

Music Festival 2008

May 23rd & 24th
located at the

The uitz Theatre

& Irentwccd Park

Vendors Reserve Your Booths Now for Only $50!!!!
(Vendors Provide Tables and Chairs)

The Village
TNT
Teddy Washington
Jimmy Hill and AVOP
and Presenting Toscha Comeaux

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

H b y aI

For more information and registration
visit our website: kuumbafestivalfl.org

$269

Price

includes

SRoom *Air

& Transfers
for 3 days and 2 nights at the
beautiful Tropicana Casino and
Resotrt in Atlantic Ciy, NJ

FULL SERVICE CASINO

Slot Machines Roulette Poker Craps Poker

Blackjack 3 Card Poker Caribbean Stud

Fri-Sun on a chartered plane from JIA

Call Casino Steve at 1-800-553-7773

"'Y~1 )

----7

I Charles E. Simmons, III, M.D. I

The "Real Thing" Could Really be Harming Your Bones

Downing a soda or two a day may
be a part of your normal
routine. But think again.
Those suganr soft drinks \
not only are bad tor \our
diet, but ne%
research sug- L ,
gests that the. ^l
could also be "
bad for \our
bones, reports
HealthDa' corn
"There is
enough e\ idence
that high consump-
tion of soda and car-
bonated be erages is
associated ith some-
what lower bone mass in
children, and that's a real

p'

A white Pullman
Pullman Porter cap
that was worn by
one of the top-
ranked train car
attendants between
the 1920s and 1940s
is seen.

Concern and people
should be aware of it,"
Said Dr. Lawrence
Raisz, director of the
University of
Connecticut
Center for
Osteoporosis.
The reason isn't
clear, but experts
believe that
drinking soda -
particularly
colas affects
bone density in several

One reason may be that people
\hlio drink colas are simply less
likely to get enough calcium
and utamin D in their diets,

Part of the Tin Man cos-
tume from the Broadway pro-
duction 'The Wiz,' an all-
black 1970s adaptation of
'The Wonderful Wizard of
Oz,' is seen.
The National Museum of
African American History
and Culture unveiled the
headpiece among the recent
acquisitions for its collection.

The Smithsonian Institution has
begun public fundraising to build
a museum dedicated to black his-
tory with a $5 million gift from
Boeing Co., the largest to date.
The National Museum of African
American History and Culture is
scheduled to open in 2015 on the
National Mall near the
Washington Monument. It will be

the Smithsonian's 19th museum.
Museum Director Lonnie Bunch
is working to raise half the muse-
um's $500 million cost, with the
rest coming from Congress.
The museum also is unveiling
recent acquisitions for its collec-
tion, including works by black
fashion designers and artists and a
sign from the segregation era.

because the soda is replacing more
nutritious beverages, such as milk
or calcium-fortified juice. Another
reason cited by the experts is the
caffeine in colas, which has been
linked to a higher risk of osteoporo-
sis. One more possible explanation
is that one of the ingredients found
in colas, phosphoric acid, can cause
an imbalance in the body as the
body seeks to neutralize the acid
with calcium. If there isn't enough
calcium in the diet, the body will

Marion Jone

Fight to K
Ladies who ran with Marion Jones
at the 2000 Olympics are fighting
to keep the gold and bronze medals
that they have been ordered to
return due to Jones' admission of
steroid use.
Jones teamed with Jearl-Miles
Clark, Monique Hennagan,
LaTasha Colander-Richardson and
Andrea Anderson to win gold in the
1,600-meter relay, and with Chryste
Gaines, Torri Edwards, Nanceen
Perry and Passion Richardson to
win the bronze in the 400.
The International Olympic
Committee ordered Jones to return
both medals last year after she
admitted to doping during the
Sydney Games. The International
Olympic Committee disqualified
the other seven athletes, while con-
ceding none of the athletes broke
any rules. The runners had refused
to give up their medals, saying it
would be wrong to punish them for
Jones' violations.
A news release sent from the ath-
letes' attorney, Mark Levinstein,
said the athletes have until May 1 to
appeal the IOC decision to the
Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Hennagan said the athletes want to
fight the IOC decision, but "the cost
of fighting the IOC with all of its
resources and paying for legal pro-
ceedings before the court in
Switzerland is more than our com-
bined resources," she said.
With Levinstein's help, the ath-
letes established The Innocent
Olympic Athletes' Legal Defense
Fund. The U.S. Olympic
Committee offered to pay for the
athletes' defense should they

1(

take calcium from the bones.
"Phosphate is in milk, but milk
also contains calcium and vitamin
D. In soft drinks, there is just phos-
phoric acid and no calcium. Extra
overzealous drinking may lead to a
phosphoric acid imbalance, and if
there's not enough calcium, the
body goes to the bones to restore
the balance," explained Dr. Primal
Kaur, director of the Osteoporosis
Center at Temple University Health
Sciences Center in Philadelphia.

s Teammates

'ep Medals
choose one of three attorney's the
federation has agreed to provide for
them, spokesman Darryl Seibel
said.

Coaching Trailblazer Will Robinson Passes
In a photo provided by the Detroit Pistons, Isiah Thomas, President of the
New York Knicks, left, stands with Detroit Basketball legend Will
Robinson as he is honored by the Detroit Pistons on Dec. 2, 2005 in
Auburn Hills, Mich. Robinson, who was the first black coach of a Division
I college basketball program and a legendary evaluator of talent in both
basketball and football, died on Monday, April 28. 2008. He was 96.

Former New York Jets running
back Marion Barber, Jr., (1982 -
1988) and wife Karen were all
smiles as their second son
University of Minnesota Gopher
Dominique Barber was drafted
Saturday by the Houston Texans as
the 173rd overall draft pick.
Dominique's brother is Dallas
Cowboy running back Marion
Barber III. Father and sons all

attended and received scholarships
from the University of Minnesota
along with illustrious careers as
football mavericks.
Family and friends gathered at the
Barbers home in Minnesota to cele-
brate, toast and give thanks to a
father, best friends (BFF) and two
brothers who now claim NFL
prominence. Marion, Jr. and wife
Karen were both raised in Detroit,

Michigan and attended High School
with Jacksonville resident Lynn
Jones. Saturday was a surprise as
Marion Barber III secretly present-
ed Dominique with a brand new
GMC Escalade.
The NFL pre-season Season starts
in August with the Houston Texans
and the Jacksonville Jaguars on the
field. Get ready for some foot-
ball!!!